Sustainable Construction is a promising investment. The pression on the energetic costs, the necessity of a sustainable management of natural resources and the improval of the quality of the workplace are testimonials for the pertinence of this investment.

A sustainable property
To determine the return of a Sustainable Construction, an other evaluation method is required than for a standard construction because of :

• an increased number of factors involved (location, use, shape)
• the management of exploitation costs, significantly favourable for the occupant
• lengthening the lifespan of the building and facilitating re-allocation because it is accounted for in the original design
• an overall qualitative improvement, not only in health terms but also in terms of resource use and benefits for the society in general

Sustainable Construction brings a real change, making quantative comparaisons difficult. This is why the pertinence can sometimes be doubted if there is no global image and if the choices are not documented.

Not a lot of extra costs
A study published by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) revealed that construction industry professionals over-estimate by 300% the costs of constructing an environmentally friendly building. Contrary to general belief, these extra costs represent about 5%.

Financial benefits
A study by McGraw-Hill (in 2005) gathered the opinions of real estate professionals and calculated the added value of “green buildings” in comparison with standard buildings:

• Resale value 7.5% higher
• ROI (Return On Investment) improved by 6.6%

Moreover, a Sustainable Construction also allows a number of qualitative improvements that, either directly or indirectly, influence project returns, including:

• a better use of space
• a more judicious siting choice
• a higher productivity
• an image of innovation and social commitment

An objective added value
A Valideo certified building benefits from an objective added value over the short and long-term. This system is in fact guaranteed by recognized players of certification who ensure the proper design of the project.

Learn more about the approach of the Valideo certification system.